Name Carey Bender | ||
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Date of birth (1972-01-28) January 28, 1972 (age 43) | ||
Carey Wayne Bender (born January 28, 1972 in Marion, Iowa) is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League. He attended Coe College, where he still holds numerous rushing records. He was given an opportunity to play in the NFL by Buffalo Bills head coach Marv Levy, a fellow Coe College graduate. He played with the Buffalo Bills in 1996 as a member of the team's practice squad. After playing well in the NFL pre-season, he appeared in one game of the regular season, but recorded no carries.
Bender is one of two Coe College running backs to have played in the NFL. The other is Fred Jackson, former starting running back for the Buffalo Bills. Jackson was also given this opportunity by Marv Levy, who was the Bills general manager at the time. Bender and Jackson are among a select few American football players to have played in the NFL after playing at a Division III college.